Kokomo Resident’s Toy Collection Preserves Memories of Growing Up on the Farm

Steve Maple of Kokomo grew up in agriculture, and his toy collection represents farm history through machinery replicas. Photo credit: Jeff Adkins

For many children, a toy tractor lends itself to expanding the imagination, with a make-believe farm and crops to tend. But for Steve Maple, toys have a different meaning: preserving farm memories and agricultural history.

Maple lives in Kokomo and has been collecting farm toys and replicas, including pedal cars and pedal tractors, for more than 30 years. He credits his wife, Donna, with the start of his hobby.

Advertisement

“My wife’s grandfather gave her an International H pedal tractor in the early 1950s,” Maple says. “The H survived Donna and her sisters in their childhood, as well as all of their children. One day, when Donna was visiting her folks, her dad loaded the H pedal in the car and sent it home with her.”

Maple says they took it to a friend who enjoyed restoring farm toys, and within a few days, the Maples had a newly restored pedal tractor.

“That was the beginning,” Maple says. “I give Donna all the credit. She has contributed much to the collection.”

See more: Racing Through Time at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum

An Impressive Collection

One of Steve Maple’s favorites in his collection is this pedal car from the early 1920s, paired with a picture of the original owner. Photo credit: Jeff Adkins

Steve says he and Donna find new pieces for the collection in all kinds of places, from junk piles and garage sales to auctions and gifts from others. As the collection has grown larger, he’s lost track of how many pieces he has.

“I don’t keep track, but I do have several pieces that I really cherish,” Maple says. “One is the International H pedal tractor from Donna’s father. Another special one is a pedal car from the early 1920s. I have a picture of the original owner when he was about 5 years old sitting in the car. He was born in 1919.”

Photo credit: Jeff Adkins

They also have a Purdue pedal tractor and pedal car, and Maple says those are special as well since he’s a Purdue alum.
Maple admits the collection has taken over their house for years.

“Our toys are all over the house. They decorate every room,” he says. “We’re currently restoring one of our old barns to house the toys for the future. Donna is finally getting her house back and a new dining room table for the first time in our marriage.”

He adds that it’s been nice to share his passion with his children and grandchildren as they’ve grown up.

“All of the toys are always available for the kids to play with, with the exception of one or two,” Maple says. “As our grandkids grew up, there were plenty of tractor races throughout the house with many crashes. Donna and I always said the tractors can be repainted.”

See more: The Farm at Prophetstown Peeks Into the Past

Memories of Farm History

Photo credit: Jeff Adkins

Maple grew up in agriculture and farms with his family to this day. He grows corn, soybeans and wheat, plus he has a swine operation. He also is a former member of Indiana Farm Bureau’s board of directors.

“I’m extremely blessed to have been able to farm with much of my family,” he says. “I farmed with my dad for 25 years before he passed. I’ve been fortunate to farm alongside one of my brothers for the past 40 years as a farm owner and partner. My youngest brother manages our feed mill currently, and we’re happy to have my son’s family and my niece’s family farming alongside as well.”

His extensive toy collection not only represents actual farm history through machinery replicas but also the way kids occupied their time before cell phones and video games.

“I’m fascinated with farm history,” he says. “Many of my toys represent a time gone by that will be lost if it’s not preserved for future generations to see.”

Maple has a great appreciation for history in general, especially agricultural history. With his collection, he can help preserve that for generations to come.

“Preservation of history and holding onto the past keeps us from repeating mistakes and sets a guide for our future,” Maple says. “Remembering where we came from helps us appreciate the present. We are destined to change. We must remember the past but not hold on too tightly.”

See more: All Aboard the Nickel Plate Express